You take glucosamine for your achy joints and sip chamomile tea for your jangled nerves. But who knew remedies like these could work the same magic on dogs and cats as they do on humans? It’s all about choosing the right stuff, so we asked holistic vets which products they’ve found work best on their own pets. FOR EASING ACHY, AGING JOINTS Glucosamine/chondroitin. This combo can help protect and repair cartilage around joints and, unlike the prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that vets often use to treat pets’ arthritis, poses a low risk of side effects. Be patient—it takes about 30 days for the supplements to start working, says veterinarian Patrick Mahaney, founder of California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness in Los Angeles. Tips: Choose products formulated only for pets and made solely with US- or Canada-sourced ingredients, and follow label directions for dosing. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 supplements keep pets’ joints healthy and ease inflammation, says Nancy Soares, medical director of Macungie Animal Hospital in Pennsylvania. Follow label directions. Traumeel for pets. This side effect-free homeopathic blend of arnica, belladonna, and other substances is a natural anti-inflammatory. It comes in gel, tablets, or drops. Follow label directions.  Elk velvet antler. Weird yes, but this Chinese medicine made from antlers of farm-raised elk, was studied and proven to relieve arthritis in dogs. Holistic vets say it soothes away joint pain as quickly as aspirin does. “My patients tell me that they give their dogs the formula and 20 to 30 minutes later, their dogs are up and moving again,” says Cathy Alinovi, a holistic veterinarian in Pine Village, IN. For best results, use this along with omega-3 fatty acids. MORE: Should Your Pet Be On A Raw Foods Diet? FOR SOOTHING STRESSED-OUT PETSLavender essential oil. This natural sedative soothes your pet during stressful experiences, says Jeffery Levy, a veterinarian in New York City. In one study, dogs that whiffed the scent of lavender spent more time resting and less time pacing and whining than dogs not exposed to its aroma. Put a few drops on a clean rag for your pet to sniff, but keep it out of his reach. (Avoid these 4 ways you’re driving your pet absolutely nuts.) Pheromones. The chemical “love potions” that animals secrete to attract other animals seem to exert a calming effect. As relaxation remedies, pheromone products are sold as sprays, plug-ins, and collars that waft either dog- or cat-friendly synthetic chemicals into the air. Though research on their effectiveness is limited, Mahaney and Levy say they can reduce your pet’s need for prescription drugs such as (yes, we’re serious) Prozac. Shen calmer. According to traditional Chinese medicine, human anxiety is a disorder of Shen (spirit). And according to holistic vets, anxious pets can have disordered Shen, too. This product, which contains a blend of 16 Chinese herbs, is designed to correct the Shen imbalance. Sounds woo-woo, but both Alinovi and Mahaney have used it with great success in combination with behavior modification (exercise, training, etc.), especially on pets with restless, anxious personalities. Find it on amazon.com.  NATURAL DETOX REMEDYVaccines are lifesaving, but some pets suffer adverse reactions. “Every immune system is different, and you just don’t know how your animal will respond,” says Soares. That’s why she and Alinovi recommend the following products after your pet’s annual shots. Milk Thistle. This herb can help counteract any toxicity of vaccines or prescription medications that treat heartworm, says Alinovi. Buy it in health food stores as a tincture (a liquid); see below for specific dosing information. THE BEST NATURAL REMEDY OF ALL…Media Platforms Design Team Photo by David Trood/Getty Images There’s one nondrug solution that can help you soothe away your pet’s pain and anxiety, as well as boost her immunity. It also happens to be free and in abundant supply: TLC. “People undervalue the power of touch,” says Levy. “Especially for elderly animals whose eyesight and hearing might be going, a soothing touch might be the most important natural remedy you can offer.” MORE: How To Handle A Suddenly Cranky Cat